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Adjourned Meeting
March 14, 2002
6:00 p.m.
Meeting Convened. An Adjourned Meeting of the York County Board of
Supervisors was called to order at 7:02 p.m., Thursday, March 14, 2002,
in the Board Room, York Hall, by Chairman Donald E. Wiggins.
Attendance. The following members of the Board of Supervisors were
present: Walter C. Zaremba, Sheila S. Noll, Donald E. Wiggins, James S.
Burgett, and Thomas G. Shepperd.
Also in attendance was James O. McReynolds, County Administrator.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2003 BUDGET
Mr. McReynolds made a brief presentation on projected revenues and
expenditures contained in the proposed Fiscal Year 2003 Budget.
Chairman Wiggins called to order a public hearing on the proposed
Fiscal Year 2003 Budget which was duly advertised as required by law.
Ms. Nayda Pophal, Executive Director of Housing Partnerships,
appeared to thank the Board for its support and to ask for its continued
support for FY2003. She stated it had been a tough year, and there has
been a great need in housing. In York County so far in the first six
months, Housing Partnerships has completed nine repairs and utilized 245
York County volunteers for a total of over 1,000 hours equaling
approximately $153,000 in volunteer labor. She noted that one of the
most successful projects this year has been an association with the
County, the Farmers Home Administration, the volunteers, and Housing
Partnerships to build a house in the upper county for an elderly
disabled lady. Ms. Pophal stated that by voting to continue the Housing
Partnerships funding will allow them to continue serving the housing
needs of York County.
Ms. Amanda Hayes, Planner for the Colonial Community Criminal Justice
Board (CCCJB), indicated the Board's budget request for next year is
just slightly higher than the current year at $20,811. The slight
increase of $1,000 is due to the inability of the CCCJB to absorb
increasing costs of the Planner position. She thanked the Board of
Supervisors for its continued support and Don Wiggins for all his
efforts and contributions to the CCCJB during his tenure. Ms. Hayes
stated she looked forward to working with Mr. Shepperd in the future.
Ms. Deborah Elliott, representing the Foster Grandparents Program,
indicated the program was celebrating it 30th anniversary this year. She
explained how the program worked for seniors 60 years of age and older
and the services they provide. The program currently has 97 volunteers,
and the plan is to enroll 10-15 more by the end of April from York
County. Ms. Elliott asked the Board to approve the requested $2,800 for
the Foster Grandparents Program.
Mr. John Lochstampfor, Jr., 236 Robanna Drive, asked the Board to
reduce the real estate tax rate from $.86 to $.80 per $100 of
evaluation. He stated revenues from property taxes increased 2 percent
in FY2002, yet the proposed increase in FY2003 is 9.7 percent because of
the reassessment. Lowering the tax rate to $.80 would still provide the
County with 2 percent of increased revenues over FY2002, and property
owners will have some relief from the high assessments. Mr. Lochstampfor
questioned the fairness of the assessment process, indicating his
assessment was increased by $7,000 because of the view, and his view has
not changed since 1970. He stated a 9.7 percent increase is totally
absurd, and now is the time to eliminate the fat in the school and
County budgets.
Mr. Bill Harper, representing the American Legion Post 31, asked the
Board of Supervisors to join with other Peninsula municipalities in
supporting the "Wall That Heals," a ½-scale model of the
Vietnam Wall in Washington, D.C., which will be traveling to this area
May 2 through May 5. He asked that the County provide financial support
and adopt a resolution declaring May 2-5, 2002, as Vietnam Veterans
Days. Mr. Harper explained how the viewing of the model would work while
it was on display. He indicated there was a budget of $60,000 for the
project, and the Daily Press and Cox Cable have just donated $40,000 in
advertising.
Ms. Martha McCartney, 109 Quaker Meeting House Road, representing the
Heritage Humane Society, updated the Board on what has been done during
2001 at the Society. Construction was completed on the isolation unit,
and the addition conforms with the latest in State standards, which
allows the Society to sequester unhealthy animals. She indicated the
Society is open seven days a week now to better serve the public. She
noted that the Society was asking for more funding this year due to the
operating costs of the new isolation unit, insurance, and utilities. She
stated humane education was being provided to the elementary school
children in the Bruton District, and the spay/neuter program was being
expanded for low income people. Ms. McCartney also noted that the
Society had commissioned a feasibility study for the construction of a
larger facility.
There being no one else present who wished to speak regarding the
subject budget, Chairman Wiggins closed the public hearing.
PROPOSED CALENDAR YEAR 2002 TAX RATES
Mr. McReynolds made a brief presentation explaining the purpose of
proposed Ordinance No. 02-3 which would set the tax rates for Calendar
Year 2002. He noted that adoption of the tax rates and the proposed
budget was scheduled for April 2.
A brief discussion ensued concerning the tax rate for mobile homes
and the property the mobile homes occupy.
Chairman Wiggins then called to order a public hearing on proposed
Ordinance No. 02-3 that is entitled:
AN ORDINANCE TO IMPOSE TAX LEVIES UPON TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY,
UPON MACHINERY AND TOOLS, UPON MOBILE HOMES, AND UPON REAL ESTATE FOR
THE CALENDAR YEAR 2002, AND TO PRORATE TAXES ON MOBILE HOMES
Mr. John Lochstampfor, Jr., 236 Robanna Drive, stated that 17 percent
of York County's population were senior citizens, many of whom have
lived in the County for 30+ years. He stated he felt these people have
paid their dues, and not reducing the tax rate is imposing a real burden
on senior citizens. Most of them live on fixed incomes, and there are
many projects on-going in the County that could be cut. Mr. Lochstampfor
asked the Board to reduce the proposed tax rate to be fair to the real
estate owners, and he would be happy if the Board reduced the rate to
something less than $.80.
There being no one else present who wished to speak regarding the
subject ordinance, Chairman Wiggins closed the public hearing.
Meeting Adjourned. At 7:37 p.m. Mrs. Noll moved that the meeting be
adjourned sine die.
On roll call, the vote was:
Yea: (5) Zaremba, Noll, Burgett, Shepperd, Wiggins
Nay: (0)
_____________________________________
____________________________________
James O. McReynolds,
Clerk
Donald E. Wiggins, Chairman
York County Board of
Supervisors
York County Board of Supervisors
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